We passed a billboard on the train that said Disneyland Paris tickets were around $80. We had one more day in Paris and thought that could be a fun way to end our vacation! Since we were with Josh's family, I really didn't think we were going to go and that it would take some convincing, but both Josh and his brother were game!

HOW TO GET THERE

Disneyland Paris is about 40 minutes outside of Paris, so we set out early to get there close to when it opened. For less than 8 Euro (one way), we took the RER A train from Auber to Disneyland Paris (at Marne La Vallée station). It took almost an hour and I was definitely more excited (and impatient) than the 6 year olds we shared a car with.

Entrance to Walt Disney Studios

WHAT'S DIFFERENT?

After going to Disneyland hundreds of times and Walt Disney World a handful of times, what did we need to go to Disneyland Paris for?

First of all, there are 2 parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Disneyland Park has your basics with exclusive features only in Paris: Pirates of the Caribbean, Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain: Mission 2, Haunted Manor. Walt Disney Studios Park has the newer rides: Tower of Terror, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Crush's Coaster, Toy Story Land. If you only have one day here's what you should see...

Walt Disney Studios Park:

I thought it was weird we didn't see the Walt and Mickey Statue in the Disneyland Park, but lo and behold, there it was in the Studios Park.

Walt and Mickey Statue

Bonjour Buzz!

Elements were taken from both Disneyland and Disney World, but when we approached Toy Story Land and a giant Buzz Lightyear greeted us with, "Bonjour," Paris Disneyland definitely had a unique charm.

Toy Story Land had rides for little kids, much like A Bug's Life Land in CA Adventure so we didn't spend much time there.

Down the street from Toy Story Land, there was a little bit of Car's Land, not quite like California Adventure but there were a few familiar buildings that occupied one of the street corner's including the bumper car ride, Flo's Cafe, and a gift shop.

Car's Land Corner

Crush's Ride was a favorite at the Studios Park. It can't be found in any of the US Parks (although they should add it - preferably to CA Adventure), and is a unique roller coaster type that you ride with Crush from Finding Nemo in a turtle shell along the EAC. It's fast, it spins, it's fun! We waited about an hour for it, but it was worth it (and dry).

Much like the studios in Orlando, you could also find rides such as the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror.

Tower of Terror with spooky clouds

Paris Disneyland Park:

Sleeping Beauty's Castle

We went in October and the park was all decked out with Halloween decorations. Main street was full of spooks and pumpkins everywhere you looked!

In the US parks, you can enter through the gates of the castle and there are shops or restaurants within the walls. Here, you can go under Sleeping Beauty's castle and visit a DRAGON. He has a little smoke that come from his mouth and moves around.

Dragon under Sleeping Beauty's Castle

Space Mountain Mission 2

Space Mountain: Mission 2 is one of my favorite rides but Paris wins in my book! It not only takes place dark in space inside, but also goes outside AND HAS A LOOP! So nice, we did it twice. Compared to the other Disney parks, this one is the best. Make sure you grab a fastpass!

Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril

As a huge fan of the Indiana Jones ride in CA Disneyland, I was surprised when we came across Paris' Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril. It was still a thrill ride, but it was an outdoor roller coaster (kinda like Everest at Animal Kingdom). Space Mountain Mission 2 was better if you're looking to go one one or the other.

We also enjoyed the Pirates of the Caribbean. Of all the different versions, this one seemed to tell the story the best.

You could also find other Disneyland classics such as Big Thunder, Small World, Haunted Mansion, Autopia, Buzz Lightyear, and Dumbo. In Frontierland they have the Lucky Nugget, which I'm used to seeing the Golden Nugget at home!

FOOD

We ate at the Hakuna Matata Restaurant because we were hungry and it was raining. They had chicken tenders and fries that were pretty good for Disney Park foo. They had more options but all we needed at that time was basic food.

Of course we had to have ice cream so we indulged in some ice cream sandwiches. Yum!

Overall, if you're a Disney fan, I highly recommend it!

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